On February 22-23, 2013, the Louisiana Environmental Education Commission and the Louisiana Environmental Education Association will host the 16thAnnual Louisiana Environmental Education Symposium – “Our Environment…Our Future”at the Baton Rouge Marriott in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The theme for this upcoming conference will be “Build a Sustainable Future”! After all, isn’t that what we are really about?!

Join us for exciting workshops, concurrent sessions, and exhibits for the environmental educator! If you are a K-12 teacher or informal educator, you will want to attend this fun, education-packed, professional development event! Go home Energized and Educated in the latest EE concepts!

Early Bird Registration closes on January 22, 2013.
Lodging assistance is available.Brochure with registration form is attached. All forms and related information can also be found on our website at www.wlf.louisiana.gov/eec.

Visit the LEEC table (#80) at the LATM/LSTA Conference, November 12-14!

SHORT COURSE INFORMATION
The following optional Short Course sessions are being offered on Friday, February 22, 2013,in conjunction with the 2013 conference. Short Course participants must also register for the Environmental Education Symposium and pay conference registration fees, in addition to a nominal Short Course fee. Workshops will be held in the immediate Baton Rouge area, to be announced.

Preregistration is required. Space is limited! Participants will be notified via e-mail.

2. Innovative Designs & Practices Paving the Way to Sustainable Success Stores TOUR
Facilitators: Edward Cazayoux, Ph.D., Architect specializing in climate responsive architectureCharles Allen, Ph.D., Author of “Edible Plants of the Gulf South”Katry Martin, Civil EngineerTrish Ransom, Artist specializing in repurposingGrade Level: General Time: 8:00 AM–4:30 PMFee: $10; lunch & transportation provided
Travel to the St. Landry Parish Visitor Information Center, which serves as an introduction to sustainable architecture and living closer to the land. Completed in 2011, you’ll hear first hand from architects, artists, and native plant experts on the utilization of renewable energy sources, routing of rainwater, recycling, and demonstration of local ecosystems. Then you will also see how trash is literally being turned into treasure – bio compressed natural gas (CNG) to be exact, at the St. Landry Parish Landfill. This is one of only two such systems in the entire country! The resulting BioCNG is used to fuel vehicles operated by our Sheriff’s Department. Then enjoy a mini-workshop creating art out of debris!

3. Conservation Education Featuring WET, WILD, & Learning Tree WORKSHOPFacilitator: Wade Dubea, State Forester Whitney Wallace, INE Program DirectorGrade Level: General Time: 8:00 AM–3:30 PMFee: $10; lunch provided
Here is an opportunity to participate in a single workshop and gain hands-on experience and resources from THREE exceptional programs. Workshop attendees will participate in selected activities from each program featuring water quality, wildlife and forestry. Activities are available for all grade levels, subject areas, and learning styles. Upon completion of the workshop, activity guides and resource materials will be provided to participants. Come share, learn, and experience nature as we promote teaching “how to think and not what to think” about our environment.

4. Rainwater Harvesting – Water Conservation and Water Quality WORKSHOPFacilitator: Dotty Woodson, Extension Program Specialist-Water Resources, Texas A&M AgriLifeGrade Level: GeneralTime: 8:00 AM–3:30 PMFee: $10; lunch provided
Come learn about the ins and outs of water conservation! And make your own rain barrel to take back to your classroom! Rainwater harvesting makes use of a valuable resource, provides a water source when groundwater or surface waters are unacceptable or unavailable, can augment existing water supplies, reduces the load into stormwater drains, reduces non-point source pollution, reduces the summer water peak demand, delays expansion of existing water treatment plants, and reduces water bills. A 2,000 square foot building can collect 1200 gallons in a 1 inch rain! Limited to 15 participants, each who will make a working rain barrel. Participants need to be able to transport their rain barrel back home!